2. Americans’ awareness and belief of climate change is
rising dramatically.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 2
3. Americans believe climate change is happening:
believe climate change is happening
83%U.S. 2016
points from 78% in 2015
5
Notable shifts
points from 70% in 2015
15
85%Midwesterners 2016
69%Republican women 2016
81%
points from 68% in 2015
13
Live in small towns 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 3
10
points from 59% in 2015
4. of this survey’s respondents have noticed more severe weather and
changing seasonal weather patterns where they live over the last several years
78%U.S. 2016
points from 71% in 2015
7
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 4
Notable shifts
points from 60% in 2015
76%
16
Midwesterners 2016
69%
15
Republican women 2016
75%
points from 62% in 2015
13
Live in small towns 2016
points from 54% in 2015
5. When it comes to climate change, which of the following is closer to your opinion?
83% 8%Yes, climate change
is happening
No, climate change
is not happening
9%
Not sure
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 5
6. Have you noticed more severe weather and changing seasonal weather patterns
where you live over the last several years?
78%
6%
Yes
Not sure
16%No
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 6
7. Americans believe human activities contribute to climate
change.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 7
8. When it comes to climate change, which of the following is closer to your opinion?
Not sure
Climate change is
not happening
Mainly due to
natural causes
Combination of both
human activities and
natural causes
Mainly due to
human activities Notable shifts is mainly due
to human activities:
36%
Democrats
points from 27% in 2015
9
U.S. 2016
25%
Midwesterners
points from 15% in 2015
10
U.S. 2016
0 2010 30 5040 60
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 8
9. Concern about climate change is strong, pervasive,
and rising.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 9
10. How personally concerned are you about climate change?
68%U.S. 2015 concerned
Strongly concerned Somewhat concerned A little concerned Not concerned at all
76%U.S. 2016
concerned
8personally concerned about climate change points from 68% in 2015 and including an points increase from 31% in being very concerned about climate change7
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 10
11. U.S. women, adults under 30, Democrats, African
Americans, and Latinos are most likely to be personally
concerned about climate change.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 11
12. Americans are concerned about climate change:
80%women 2016
71%men 2016
78%ages 50 to 64 2016
77%ages 30 to 39 2016
82%Under 30 2016
78%ages 40 to 49 2016
61%over age 65 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 12
13. Americans are concerned about climate change:
90%Democrats 2016
71%Independents 2016
points from 45% in 2015
12
57%Republicans 2016
(including 62% of Republican women, whose concern rose)
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 13
14. Americans are concerned about climate change:
83%Latinos 2016
77%African Americans 2016
points from 60% in 2015
14
74%Whites 2016
(with a notable increase in concern among white men in 2016 to 70%)
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 14
15. Today, people are more likely to report being personally
affected by climate impacts than in 2015.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 15
16. Americans feel more personally affected by:
Record heat
waves during
summer
Frequent and
severe droughts
Damage and harm
from extreme
weather
Increased rates
of breathing
problems
Increased
flooding
over 2015 results
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 16
67%
points from 59% in 2015
8
U.S. 2016
56%
points from 49% in 2015
7
U.S. 2016
53%
points from 47% in 2015
6
U.S. 2016
42%
points from 37% in 2015
5
U.S. 2016
48%
points from 44% in 2015
4
U.S. 2016
17. How much are the following issues personally affecting you on a scale of 0 to 10
where 0 means not at all, and 10 means they are affecting you a great deal.
10-A Great deal Total 6-10
Record heat waves
during summer
Increased cost of food
More frequent and
severe droughs
More damage and harm
from extreme weather
Increased rates of breathing
problems, such as asthma
Availability of clean water
Increased flooding
22% 74%
16% 67%
12% 56%
8% 53%
12% 48%
11% 44%
5% 42%
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 17
18. In the West, Midwest and South, people report climate
impacts a great deal more today than they did in 2015.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 18
19. Westerners are the most likely to report being:
Westerners 2016 vs. 35% U.S.
52%
Impacted a lot by
more frequent and
severe droughts
Westerners 2016 vs. 29% U.S.
34%
Impacted a lot
by the availability
of clean water
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 19
points from 35% in 2015
vs. 27% U.S. in 2015
17 points from 29% in 2015
vs. 24% U.S. in 2015
5
20. In the Midwest, the percent saying they were impacted a lot (8-10 on a 0-10 scale)
increased across the following:
Midwest 2016
36%
Record heat waves
during summer
Midwest 2016
29%
Increased rates of
breathing problems
Midwest 2016
26%
More frequent and
severe droughts
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 20
points from 24% in 201512 points from 17% in 201512 points from 13% in 201513
ALASKA
21. In the South, the percent saying they were impacted a lot (8-10 on a 0-10 scale)
increased across the following:
South 2016
48%
Record heat waves
during summer
South 2016
35%
More frequent and
severe droughts
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 21
points from 38% in 201510 points from 31% in 20158
ALASKA
22. More damage and
harm from extreme
weather
In the South, the percent saying they were impacted a lot (8-10 on a 0-10 scale)
increased across the following:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 22
South 2016
39%
points from 31% in 20158
South 2016
30%
Increased flooding
South 2016
56%
Increased cost of
food
points from 21% in 20159
points from 45% in 201511
23. Americans believe water is a critical right, not just
a commodity.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 23
24. Americans believe water is a critical right for all:
91%
Women over 50
strongly agree
81%
Men over 50
strongly agree
79%
Women under 50
strongly agree
71%
Men under 50
strongly agree
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 25
25. Americans believe water is a critical right for all:
90%U.S. 2016 vs. 91% 2015 total agree
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 24
27. Americans believe we have a moral responsibility to create
a safe and healthy climate for ourselves and our children.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 27
28. Americans believe we have a moral responsibility to create a safe and healthy
climate for ourselves and our children:
87%U.S. 2016 vs. 86% in 2015 total agree
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 28
29. 75%
Women over 50
strongly agree
62%
Men over 50
strongly agree
66%
Women under 50
strongly agree
58%
Men under 50
strongly agree
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 29
Americans who strongly believe in this moral responsibility:
31. Americans have strong optimism we can address
climate change.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 31
32. points up from 75% in 2015
7
points from 47% in 2015
4
points from 2015
3
83%Age 30 - 39 2016
51%Strongly hopeful 2016
points up from 77% in 2015
8
85%Under 30 years of age 2016
are hopeful that we can reduce the pollution that is causing climate change
81%U.S. 2016 vs. 78% 2015
Americans believe we can address climate change:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 32
Notable shifts
33. Americans are hopeful we can reduce the pollution that is causing climate change:
Strongly agree Not so strongly agree Not so strongly disagree Strongly disagree N/A
81%U.S. 2016 vs. 78% in 2015
agree
There is nothing we can do to stop climate change:
28%U.S. 2016 vs. 29% 2015 agree
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 33
34. Americans strongly support clean energy and a pollution
fee on companies responsible for greenhouse gas emissions.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 34
35. Americans show strong support for charging large companies a fee for
the pollution they create:
77%U.S. 2016
favor
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 35
Strongly concerned Somewhat concerned A little concerned Not concerned at all
36. Women
81% 73%
Men Under age 50
81% 73%
Over age 50
81%
African Americans &
Latinos
76%
Whites
75%
Independents
89%
Democrats
63%
Republicans
Americans show strong support for charging large companies a fee for the pollution
they create:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 36
37. U.S. 2016 (%)
U.S. 2015 (%)
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Fund research and
development of new,
clean energy sources
Reduce our
federal debt
Reduce
the personal
income tax
Rebate the money
in equal shares to
all American citizens
Reduce
the corporate
income tax
We should
not tax carbon
pollution
53
56
1516
10 23
5 6
11 1310
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 37
If there were a fee on the pollution that causes climate change, how should we
use the money?
38. Americans believe the United States should focus on
producing clean energy, such as wind and solar.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 38
39. How much more or less should the United States be producing energy from each
source than it is today?
Wind & Solar
Oil
Natural gas
Coal
Nuclear
0 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%60% 40% 20%80%
677
3
88
2529 10 61
1725 4248
1232
1235
3751
3059
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 39
Total Less Much less Much more Total more
40. Americans say the United States should be producing more wind and solar:
86%Independents 2016
91%Democrats 2016
86%Republicans 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 40
41. Americans' support for natural gas and oil is declining.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 41
42. 61%U.S. 2016
decline in support for natural gas
Support for natural gas is declining:
points from 68% in 2015
7
No significant change in support
for wind and solar, oil, nuclear, or coal
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 42
43. The United States should be producing less natural gas as an energy source than
it is today:
33%People in the Midwest 2016
points from 23% in 2015
10
31%Fathers 2016
points from 20% in 2015
11
31%People in the West 2016
points from 20% in 2015
11
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 43
Notable shifts
44. The United States should be producing less natural gas as an energy source than
it is today:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 44
Notable shifts
37%Democrats 2016
points from 26% in 2015
11
39%Men under 50 2016
points from 26% in 2015
13
28%Republicans under 50 2016
points from 17% in 2015
11
45. Americans' declining support for oil:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 45
0
0 20%20% 40%40% 60%60% 80%
Midwesterners
College
graduates
Republican
women
291225 21
376 2821
142624 27
2220 20 33
142923 25
1824 2623
2016 (%)
2015 (%)
Somewhat less Much less Much more Much more
Much more Much moreMuch lessSomewhat less
46. Americans are more aware of their communities'
environmental sustainability programs, however,
there is room to expand awareness.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 46
47. Citizens that say their city or town has programs:
U.S. 2016 (%) U.S. 2015 (%)
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
None of the theseTo increase environmental
sustainability
To engage people to talk
about climate change
To address
climate change
28
63
68
24
12 12 1112
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 47
48. Americans have become more aware of their communities' programs:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 48
46%Big cities 2016
points from 39% in 2015
7
29%Small cities 2016
points from 23% in 2015
6
29%Suburbs 2016
points from 25% in 2015
5
16%Rural areas 2016
points from 12% in 2015
4
49. Americans want their communities to take climate action.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 49
50. Is your
city or town
taking the
following
actions
on climate
change?
What
actions do
you wish
your city
or town
were
taking?
Conserving energy
Purchasing renewable energy like wind or solar energy
Educating others in your city or town about climate change
Talking to the public about climate change
All of the above
32%
19%
16%
11%
7%
27%
30%
24%
20%
39%
Americans want their communities to take climate action:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 50
51. American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 51
Only one in five Americans say their community is
preparing for climate impacts - but three out of four
want it to.
52. Is your
city or town
doing anything
to prepare for
the impacts of
climate change?
Do
you want
your city
or town
to do
anything?
Yes
No
Not sure
21%
34%
44%
74%
10%
16%
American want their communities to prepare for the impacts of climate change:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 52
53. Americans who want their city or town to prepare for the impacts of climate
change live in:
83%larger cities 2016
71%smaller cites 2016
75%suburbs 2016
74%small towns 2016
65%rural areas 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 53
54. Americans have the most faith in the private sector
advancing climate solutions.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 54
55. 12%
State government
Who is most likely to advance solutions on climate change in 2016?
45%Private sector
31%Federal government
12%Local government
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 55
56. Which political party do you think is doing a better job at advancing solutions
to climate change?
10%Republicans
10%Both Democrats and
Republicans equally43%Neither party
37%Democrats
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 56
57. Americans believe Democrats do a better job at advancing solutions:
65%
points from 56% in 2015
9
points from 23% in 2015
12
points from 28% in 2015
9
Democratic women 2016
35%Living in the Midwest 2016
41%
points from 27% in 2015
14
Under age 50 2016
Democrats are doing a better job
37%U.S. 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 57
Notable shifts
58. Americans agree: taking steps to prevent future climate
change will increase jobs, help the economy, and improve
health.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 58
59. What effect would taking action to prevent future climate change have on jobs,
economy and health?
Improve a lot Total Improve Harm a lot Total Harm Make no difference
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Jobs
22
23
56
7
15
Economy
12
66
33
7
16
Health
27
67
33
2
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 59
60. Americans' belief in climate solutions has increased since 2015:
points from 56% in 2015
15
points from 53% in 2015
13
77%
points from 57% in 2015
20
Under 30 years 2016
71%Women 2016 55%Republican women 2016
41%Republican men 2016
79%
points from 58% in 2015
21
African Americans 2016
help the economy
66%U.S. 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 60
Notable shifts
61. Americans' belief in climate solutions has increased since 2015:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 61
points from 62% in 2015
12
points from 59% in 2015
8
82%
points from 69% in 2015
13
Under 30 years 2016
74%Women 2016 65%Republican women 2016
43%Republican men 2016
76%
points from 67% in 2015
9
African Americans 2016
improve health
67%U.S. 2016
Notable shifts
62. Taking steps to prevent future climate change will help the economy:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 62
Democrats
78%
66%
2016
2015
Independents
67%
58%
2016
2015
Republicans
47%
36%
2016
2015
63. Taking steps to prevent future climate change will improve health:
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 63
Democrats
78%
71%
2016
2015
Independents
68%
62%
2016
2015
Republicans
53%
45%
2016
2015
64. Americans believe they personally, and we collectively,
can and must act on climate today.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 64
65. believe we can help reduce the pollution
that is causing climate change
78%U.S. 2016
52%U.S. 2016
Strongly agree
believe I can help reduce the pollution
that is causing climate change
72%U.S. 2016
36%U.S. 2016
Strongly agree
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 65
Strongly agree Not so strongly agree Not so strongly disagree Strongly disagree N/A
66. agree we need to take action now to reduce
the pollution that is causing climate change
80%U.S. 2016
59%U.S. 2016
Strongly agree
agree I need to take action now to reduce
the pollution that is causing climate change
73%U.S. 2016
41%U.S. 2016
Strongly agree
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 66
Strongly agree Not so strongly agree Not so strongly disagree Strongly disagree N/A
67. Americans are hopeful we can reduce the pollution
that causes climate change, but pessimistic about
government's ability to agree on how to do it.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 67
68. Americans believe we can address climate change:
we could address climate change
effectively, but our government is broken and
can’t agree on how to do it
74%U.S. 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 68
69. American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 69
Americans are doing their part with climate advocacy and
climate-friendly behaviors.
70. Americans have strong climate-friendly behaviors:
have discussed
climate change
with family or friends
68%U.S. 2016
upgraded appliances
or light at home
67%U.S. 2016
discussed
climate change at their
place of worship
38%U.S. 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 70
71. Americans have strong climate-friendly behaviors:
have shifted toward
a more energy efficient form
of transportation like
public transport, hybrid cars,
bikes or walking
35%U.S. 2016
voted for a candidate
based on his/her support
for taking action
on climate change
34%U.S. 2016
discussed
climate change at their
place of worship
14%U.S. 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 71
72. Americans are starting to see climate action as an
electoral issue.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 72
73. Americans have voted for candidates based on their support for taking action
on climate change:
points from 31% in 2015
17
points from 27% in 2015
7
39%
points from 28% in 2015
11
Under 30 years 2016
48%College educated women 2016
points from 24% in 2015
13
37%Unmarried women 2016
50%
points from 40% in 2015
10
Democrats 2016
voted for a candidate based on their support for taking climate action
34%U.S. 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 73
Notable shifts
74. Americans are concerned about the impact of their
personal food choices on climate change.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 74
75. Americans are concerned about the impact their food has:
points from 51% in 2015
10
points from 51% in 2015
5
60%
points from 53% in 2015
6
Women 2016
61%Independents 2016
points from 38% in 2015
9
47%Republicans 2016
61%
points from 51% in 2015
10
Under 30 2016
concerned about the impact of their food choices
56%U.S. 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 75
Notable shifts
77. Americans trust some climate change messengers more than others :
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Scientists Environmental
organizations
Health
professionals
Clean
energy
companies
President
Obama
Church and
faith leaders
Colleges
and
Universities
Media, TV news
and internet
Local
community
leaders
Federal
elected leaders
CelebritiesCompanies
and
corporations
Congress
74
45
62
27
64
24
55
22
52
18
41
15
38
8
34
6
20
4 43 3
1618 16
34
12
Oil
companies
3
16
A lot (%) Some (%)
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 77
78. Americans' trust for climate messengers is increasing:
64%Health professionals 2016
62%Environmental organizations
2016
55%Colleges and universites 2016
41%President Obama 2016
points from 58% in 2015
6
points from 54% in 2015
8
points from 49% in 2015
6
points from 34% in 2015
7
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 78
79. Americans' trust for climate messengers is increasing:
Community leaders
34%U.S. 2016
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 79
17
Living in small towns 2016
16
40%Living in large cities 2016
34%
Notable shifts
points from 24% in 2015 points from 17% in 2015
80. Americans hear about climate change most often in
the media or on the news.
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 80
81. Have you heard or read anything recently about climate from any of the following?
0
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Health
professionals
Church and
faith leaders
None of theseNews and media Local community
leaders
Federal
elected leaders
Companies and
business leaders
Friends and family Professors and
educators
65%
31%
27%
21%
18%
15% 14%
7%
23%
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 81
82. Americans who are most likely to hear about climate change from friends
and family:
College educated
women
Democrats under
50 years old
Millennials
most likely to have heard from friends and family
36%
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 82
83. 12%Seniors 2016
14%Republicans 2016
18%Non-college educated
men 2016
Americans who are least likely to hear about climate change from friends
and family:
least likely to have heard from friends and family
American Climate Metrics Survey 2016 United States | 83
84. ecoAmerica builds a critical mass of institutional leadership,
public support and political will for definitive climate solutions in the United States.
Learn more at ecoAmerica.org
Thank you!
